Eko Hot Blog reports that the United States is set to announce new sanctions on Russia in response to the death of opposition leader Alexei Navalny in prison.
The announcement, scheduled for Friday, coincides with the second anniversary of Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine.
National Security Council spokesman John Kirby, at President Biden’s direction, revealed that the sanctions aim to hold Russia accountable for Navalny’s fate and respond to its actions during the ongoing conflict.
Kirby stated, “At President Biden’s direction, we will be announcing a major sanctions package on Friday of this week to hold Russia accountable for what happened to Mr. Navalny.”
He further emphasized that the sanctions are a response to Russia’s actions throughout the “vicious and brutal war that has now raged on for two years.”
Navalny, a vocal critic of President Vladimir Putin, had survived a poisoning incident in 2020.
His death was disclosed by Russia on Friday, stating that he passed away in a remote Arctic prison while serving a 19-year sentence.
Kirby expressed doubt about accepting the Russian government’s narrative, saying, “Whatever story the Russian government decides to tell the world, it’s clear President Putin and his government are responsible.”
He called for a credible investigation into Navalny’s death and urged complete transparency from Russia: “We’re calling for complete transparency by the Russian government for how he died.”
This development underscores the heightened tensions between the United States and Russia, with the Biden administration taking a firm stance in response to Navalny’s demise and broader actions during the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
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